Kitchen Furniture Item

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a kitchen furniture item, comprising a cabinet part ( 1 ), on the surface of which a hob ( 2 ) is provided, and a furniture element ( 3 ) which laterally adjoins the cabinet part ( 1 ) and comprises a fixed lower cabinet ( 4 ) and a height-adjustable tabletop ( 5 ), wherein the tabletop ( 5 ) has an edge surface ( 6 ) which is perpendicular in the in-use position and which faces the cabinet part ( 1 ). Overall space can be saved in such a way that at least one suction opening ( 8 ) is provided in the edge surface ( 6 ), and a blow-out opening ( 12 ) is arranged in the lower cabinet ( 4 ), said blow-out opening being connected to the suction opening ( 8 ) via a flexible hose ( 11 ).

The present invention relates to a kitchen furniture item according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention is thus based on a furniture item, comprising a cabinet part on the surface of which a hob is provided and a furniture element which laterally adjoins the cabinet part and comprises a fixed lower cabinet and a height-adjustable tabletop, wherein the tabletop comprises an edge surface which is perpendicular in the in-use position and which faces the cabinet part.

Kitchen islands are known which are composed of several components, of which one comprises a hob and the other is formed as a worktable or dining table and is adjustable in the vertical direction for increasing the flexibility. Such a kitchen island is the subject matter of an earlier patent of the patent applicant, namely EP 1 935 283 B. The problem of vapour extraction in the region of the hob can be solved in different ways. In many cases, an extractor hood is arranged in the known manner above the hob. Such an extractor hood is visually very dominant however and in many cases undesirable for architectural reasons. Solutions are also known in which a lateral or downwardly facing vapour extractor is provided instead of a hood. Such systems are also known as “downdraught” extractors. Such a vapour extractor, which aspirates through the worktable or directly through the hob, has proven to be very inefficient. Scoops arranged behind the hob are more effective, but have also proved to be obstructive for many activities, especially when the hob and the tabletop are arranged at one height.

It is the object of the present invention to avoid these disadvantages and to provide a solution in which efficient vapour extraction is possible without requiring separate components which impair the visual appearance and which are obstructive during manipulation. It is a further object of the invention to provide a compact solution in which the available stowage space is impaired either not at all or only to a minimal extent.

These objects are achieved in accordance with the invention by the features according to claim 1. This means that at least one suction opening is provided in the edge surface and that in the lower cabinet a blow-out opening is arranged which is connected to the suction opening via a flexible hose.

It is a relevant aspect of the present invention that neither in an idle position nor during operation an extractor hood or any other special component protruding into the space is necessary in order to enable vapour extraction.

The suction opening is provided on a side surface of the tabletop, so that vapour extraction is possible when the tabletop is arranged above the hob. The components of the vapour extraction apparatus are only or predominantly arranged in the furniture element with the tabletop. These components are typically arranged between the lifting columns for the tabletop, as a result of which this space can be used. Space for the suction and the necessary components is thus only required at locations which could not be used otherwise or only within limits.

Various embodiments of the invention are possible depending on the constructive conditions and the other requirements placed on the furniture element.

Circulating air systems and also systems with the discharge of the extracted air to the outside are principally possible. In the case of a circulating air system, the vapour is aspirated through the suction opening, purified in a suction device arranged in the piece of furniture and returned to the room via an outlet opening again.

If it is possible from a constructive viewpoint to connect the piece of furniture to a venting duct, the extracted air is ejected via the outlet opening into said venting duct. It is also possible that the suction device is arranged outside of the piece of furniture, in which case the suction opening is connected directly to the outlet opening via the flexible suction hose.

The suction device per se will usually be arranged in the piece of furniture itself. It is preferably installed in the lower cabinet and connected via a flexible suction hose to the suction opening. In the case of special constructive boundary conditions, the suction device can also be arranged directly on the bottom side of the tabletop for example. In this case, the flexible hose is arranged between the suction device and the outlet opening.

The flexible hose can be formed in such a way that it is variable with respect to length in the axial direction. In this case, the hose extends in a vertically extending duct for example and changes its length during a vertical movement of the tabletop. Alternatively thereto, a flexible hose can be guided in a loop which curves and/or moves laterally to a higher or lower extent depending on the movement of the tabletop.

The flexible hose is preferably formed at least partly as a suction hose. A distance between the suction opening and the suction device can thus be bridged.

The invention will be explained below in closer detail by reference to embodiments shown in the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a view according to FIG. 2 with removed lower cabinet;

FIG. 5 shows a lateral view of a section of the flexible hose, and

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of the invention in a side view.

The piece of furniture of FIG. 1 consists of a cabinet part 1, which is typically provided to protrude into the room and which is known as a kitchen island. A hob 2 is arranged on the upper side of the cabinet part 1. A furniture element 3 is attached to the rear side of the cabinet part 1, which furniture element carries a height-adjustable tabletop 5 above a lower cabinet 4. The tabletop 5 has a perpendicular edge surface 6 which rests on the cabinet part 1.

FIG. 2 shows the tabletop 5 at the height of the hob 2, but it can also be brought to a higher position by motive adjustment, which is shown in FIG. 3. The tabletop 5 can usually also be brought to a lowered position beneath the hob 2, which is advantageous for eating meals for example. The height adjustment occurs in a motor-driven manner via the lifting columns 7.

A suction opening 8 is provided in the edge surface 6, which is used to extract kitchen vapours by suction.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which a suction device 9 is arranged directly behind the suction opening 8, which suction device contains a suction fan (not shown) plus filter in the usual manner. A telescopically formed duct 10 leads downwardly from the suction device 9, wherein a flexible hose 11 is guided in the duct 10. An outlet opening 12 is indicated at the bottom end of the duct 10, through which the extracted air can be ejected in the case of a circulating air system. Alternatively, the extracted air can also be ejected in an air duct (not shown) in the floor or be discharged laterally via a flat duct guided in the base of the furniture item. This depends on the spatial conditions.

An alternative embodiment is not shown here, in which the suction device 9 is arranged further downwardly in the floor region. In this case, the flexible hose 11 is formed as a suction hose.

FIG. 5 shows a section of a flexible hose 11 which is formed in the manner of a folding bellows. As a result of this special configuration, the length extension of the hose 11, i.e. the extension in the axial direction, is variable according to the double arrow 13.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the tabletop 5 is shown in its elevated position with solid lines. Further lowered positions are indicated with the dashed lines with reference numerals 5 a and 5 b. The suction opening 8 is free in the elevated position, so that kitchen vapours can be extracted by suction according to the arrow 14. In this embodiment, the extracted air is guided directly via the hose 11 formed as a suction hose to a suction device which is arranged at a distance and not shown here.

The lower cabinet 4 is formed in this case in a very slender manner and is only substantially formed as a cover for the lifting columns 7.

The present invention allows providing a highly functional extraction of kitchen vapours by suction at the hob, which is formed in a visually appealing manner and requires a low amount of space. 

1. A kitchen furniture item, comprising a cabinet part, on the surface of which a hob is provided, and a furniture element which laterally adjoins the cabinet part and comprises a fixed lower cabinet and a height-adjustable tabletop, wherein the tabletop has an edge surface which is perpendicular in the in-use position and which faces the cabinet part, characterized wherein at least one suction opening is provided in the edge surface, and a blow-out opening is arranged in the lower cabinet, said blow-out opening being connected to the suction opening via a flexible hose.
 2. The suction device according to claim 1, wherein a suction device is provided in the lower cabinet.
 3. The suction device according to claim 2, wherein the suction device is directly connected to the suction opening via the flexible suction hose.
 4. The suction device according to claim 1, wherein a suction device is rigidly connected to the tabletop, and the suction device is connected to the outlet opening via the flexible hose.
 5. The suction device according to claim 4, wherein the tabletop can be brought to positions preferably in a motor-driven manner in which it is arranged beneath the hob or in the plane of the hob or above the hob.
 6. The suction device according to claim 5, wherein the flexible hose is formed in an extensible manner in the axial direction.
 7. The suction device according to claim 6, characterized in that the flexible hose is guided in a telescopically formed duct.
 8. The suction device according to claim 5, wherein the flexible hose (11) is operatively formed in a flexible manner perpendicularly to its axial direction.
 9. The suction device according to claim 8, wherein the flexible hose is arranged between the lifting columns of the tabletop.
 10. The suction device according to claim 8, wherein the flexible hose is formed at least partly as a suction hose. 